Korea's research on 3D image-based technologies was initiated with the participation of such a state-owned research institute as the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) in 2002. Leading companies in the private sector are KDC Corp. and masterImage. Founded in 1972, this year marks the 36th anniversary of its establishment as Korea's leading IT company. KDC has four subsidiaries, listed on Kosdaq in 1996. The overall sales of the KDC Corp, an IT enterprise of middle standing, amounted to more than $1.1 hundred million, employing a staff of 800 people. KDC has decided to put priority on the next-generation display business as a new growth engine in 2004, and has joined forces to make inroads to the display market in close collaboration with masterImage, a professional 3D enterprise. Launched with the participation of influential engineers in the 3D sector, masterImage has secured core technology with regard to stereoscopic 3D images.

Currently, KDC Corp. is the biggest shareholder of masterImage. KDC and masterImage joined hands to lay a firm foundation in the following fields: product development, production, and sales, with a view to maxi mizing synergy effects. The two companies KDC and masterImage succeeded in developing 3D-LCD method of realizing the autostereoscopic 3D image used in mobile phones since 2004, and developing a stereoscopic 3D digital theater system for the second time in the world, which shook the world's film industry. In the meantime, Real D, which was the first American developer of the 3D digital theater system, monopolized the global market.

The stereoscopic 3D digital theater system co-developed by KDC and masterImage has been already offered to the following Asian countries - Hong Kong, Taiwan, the Philippines and Korea. Recently, it has been also installed in the Cinemark cinema in Oregon. In addition, the system enabled customers to enjoy the following films - The Nightmare Before Christmas 3D; Meet the Robinsons 3D; Beowulf 3D; and Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert 3D. Some of them are still showing. Additionally, KDC and masterImage signed a partnership deal with Kinoton, a leading provider of digital cinema equipment and services in Europe, greatly contributing to making inroads into the European market in the near future. KDC and masterImage are also negotiating terms and conditions with cinema business people in more than 20 countries, such as China, India, Thailand, and Malaysia. The conformity of the product has largely improved, based on the use of single projectors, and a single circular polarized rotary filter. The product makes it possible to present stereographic 3D images comfortably. In fact, this technology has many advantages over other products, in terms of an excellent level of brightness. It is easy to install, and can be provided at a relatively reasonable price compared to other products.

MasterImage/KDC MI-2100

Recently, both companies have released new Full HD beam splitter cameras for cinema production to be used in the film and broadcasting sectors for the first time in Korea. In the meantime, the previous stereoscopic 3D digital cameras had to be arranged horizontally, which means that two cameras were installed parallel with each other. Therefore, the digital theater cameras previously used in the broadcasting and film industries could not adjust the distance between two cameras freely, the cameras presented images in qualities below the professional level, such as for people making short films or for domestic use. However, the Full HD beam splitter camera for cinema production developed by the two companies this time was designed based on the beam splitter method, vertically for one camera and horizontally for the other. Thus, digital theater cameras which are designed for broadcasting and film-making are available. In addition, close-shot and artificial control of three-dimensional effects can enable the free realization of 3D images, which will eradicate the root cause of dizziness. Stereoscopic 3D monitors are arranged in one system, which will enable people to check the dimensional images in realtime while photographing.

MasterImage/KDC Full HD beam splitter camera rig

The company released a 3D kiosk product, which can enable people to enjoy high-definition stereoscopic 3D images by installing camera lobbies, shopping malls, and amusement parks. The product will present movie trailers of 3D films in advance, after being installed in a cinema's box office. Equipped with a coin and bill payment function, it is also expected to raise additional revenue.